Vibratory machine suspension



Sept. 1, 1964 F. J. IRVING VIBRATORY MACHINE SUSPENSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Sept. 21, 1962 IN V EN TOR.

BY W 64/4/41- Se t. 1, 1964 F. J. IRVING 3,146,996

VIBRATORY MACHINE SUSPENSION Filed Sept. 21, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept.1, 1964 F. J. IRVING VIBRATORY MACHINE SUSPENSION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FiledSept. 21, 1962 IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,146,996 VIBRATQRY MACHINE SUPENSEN Frank J.Irving, Glenavon, Caiifi, assignor to The llrving Company, Mnltnomah(fonnty, Greg, a corporation of Uregon Filed Sept. 21, 1952, Ser. No.225,420 15 Ciaims. (0. 259-1) This invention relates to vibratorymachines and more particularly to improvements in the support orsuspension of the vibratory parts.

The invention may be applied in apparatus for molding cementitiousarticles, such as panels, slabs and similar members. Such articles havehigh utility as materials of construction and in related fields. Thearticles may be molded in the apparatus, using any kind of cement and,by way of example, the articles may be blocks or slabs molded frompumice. This is a volcanic ash adapted to being molded in slabs. Inmolding the slabs, the material is mixed with water and poured orotherwise placed in the mold. It has been common in the prior art tovibrate the mold for purposes of solidifying the mix by compacting ittogether and forcing the water out.

This application is a continuation in part of the earlier application,Serial No. 833,035, filed August 11, 1959, now abandoned.

In addition to molding apparatus, the invention may be adapted to othertypes of vibratory machines, more particularly vibrating finishingmachines. These machines comprise, basically, a bowl or moat whichcontains the work pieces to be finished and the commercial abrasivemedia or compounds which act upon the Work piece to finish it by meansof vibration. Any part or piece may be finished, which after beingfabricated has a flashing, for example, which it is desired to removeand reduce the part to a smooth, polished finish. It has been found thatthis invention is ideally adapted to this application. The preferredform of the invention as disclosed herein is its adaptation in avibratory finishing machine.

The machine of this invention provides improvements whereby thevibratory unit is floated in a manner whereby only the unit itself isvibrated without other parts of the machine, such as frame structure,etc. The vibratory unit is floated on pneumatic-tired wheels underneathit. The wheels are mounted on roller bearings so that the unit may besaid to be resiliently mounted and free to vibrate virtually withoutfriction. The sides of the unit are preferably held in accuratealignment by rollers. The invention is primarily adapted to vibratorymachinery in which the vibration is linear. Preferably, also, the linearvibratory movements are controlled by engagement of the unit with thepneumatic-tired wheels.

By adjusting the pressures in the pneumatic tires at one end of the moldthe character of the vibration can be very nicely adjusted as toamplitude and intensity so as to produce optimum results. It has beenfound that by so doing, extraordinarily high quality molded panels andslabs can be produced, having superior quality and strength capable ofwithstanding considerably higher p.s.i. stresses. It has also been foundthat when the invention is adapted in a vibratory finishing machine suchmachine is very effective and produces highly satisfactory finishedwork.

A very significant advantage of the invention, which has beendemonstrated from adaptations of it, is that the machine requirespractically no maintenance due to the fact of the vibratory member orunit resting on rubber tires rather than being supported or suspended by"ice way of springs. The machine is also substantially less expensivethan machines wherein the vibratory unit rests on or is suspended by wayof springs. Where a spring suspension is used, frequent replacement ofthe spring is required and there is very substantial maintenance. Theparticular manner of support of the vibratory unit of this invention,particularly where the vibration is linear, makes possible a desiredcontrol of the frequency mode and amplitude of vibration whereby optimumresults can be secured. As pointed out above, in vibratory finishingmachines it has been found that deburring operations can be accomplishedwith extraordinary efiectiveness. The commercial abrasives used may beabrasives of different sizes or meshes which when placed in the hopperor moat effect the deburring action when it is vibrated.

The machine is further improved in one form thereof, in that thevibrating mechanism is attached or attaches to the mold during vibratingby way of a vacuum or suction holding means which readily adapts itselfto releasing the mold when it is to be moved off the machine.

The primary object of the invention is to improve vibratory machines ofthe type referred to in the foregoing from the standpoint of theireffectiveness for their purpose, from the standpoint of maintenance,from the standpoint of economy, and from other standpoints made moreclear hereinafter. A more specific object is to accomplish thesepurposes by improving the support or suspension of the vibratory unit.

Another object is to accomplish the purposes of the invention byproviding the particular suspension means referred to generally in theforegoing.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved molding apparatusof the character described for quickly and economically producingconcrete slabs, panels and similar structural members of improvedstrength, size, shape and appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved moldingapparatus comprising a unit which is floated by way of being supportedon pneumatic-tired wheels and is controlled in its linear movements bypneumatic-tired wheels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine as in theforegoing having the purpose of minimizing the power required forvibration and reducing or eliminating vibratory effects tending todamage, deteriorate or destroy the machine.

Another object is to provide an improved finishing machine having theinvention adapted therein, wherein the same pneumatic-tired wheels areused to restrain linear movements as to float the unit.

Another object is to provide a machine as in the foregoing having animproved unloading arrangement and an easily-removable hopper or moat.

Further objects and numerous advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed drawings and specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a preferred form of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. '3 is a view showing the vibrating mechanism of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket used with the mold;

FIG. 5 is a view partly in section of another form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 77 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the unit in an unloadingposition;

FIG. 9 is a detail view of the removable hopper or moat.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine of FIGS. 14comprises a base having uprights as shown at 11 supporting frame 13.Numeral designates a rectangular mold in which cementitious material ismolded and vibrated. The mold 15 has a bottom and side walls and endwalls, the two end walls being rigidly attached to the bottom and theside walls being hinged to the bottom to facilitate removal of themolded slab after it has set. The frame 13 is rectangular, as shown inFIG. 2.

The mold 15 is floated on four pairs or sets of wheels having pneumatictires, as designated at 16 and 17. These wheels are on transverseshafts, as shown at 18, so that they are positioned underneath the mold15. The shafts are journaled in bearings supported by the platform orframe 13. The inner pairs are more closely spaced as shown.

Similar pairs of pneumatic-tired wheels are provided at the ends of themold for engaging directly with the ends. These pairs of wheels aredesignated as 21 and 22 and similarly are on transverse shafts. Wheels21 are on shaft 23 supported by brackets as shown at 25 extending fromframe 13.

Wheels 22 are on a shaft 27 having bearings and a support 29; one end ofthis assembly is hinged at 28 so that these wheels can be rotated aroundthe hinge out of the way of the end of the mold so that it can be movedoif the machine onto a platform or table 30 having an upper bed withrollers mounted in it so that the mold can be rolled oif onto thisstructure for curing. The assembly 29 is held by hook 32.

The mold 15 is accurately held at the sides by rollers as shown at 34 inFIG. 2. These rollers are on vertical axles 35 extending upwardly fromthe side members of the frame 13 and they engage the sides 36 of themold 15 which, as stated, are hinged to the bottom of the mold. When themold is in position on the machine, the rollers 34 hold the sides in,that is, upright, so that the mold is held accurately in longitudinalalignment while it is vibrated.

When the mold is moved ofi the machine, as described, the brackets, asshown at 37 in FIG. 4, are placed across the top of it to hold the sidewalls upright until the cementitious material has set. Three of thebrackets 37 may be used, for example, being put on in order as the moldmoves off the machine.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows the mechanism for vibrating the mold. Thismechanism includes a vacuum or suction block 40 having cavities 41therein. The cavity or cavities are surrounded by a resilient sealingmember 42 which seals against the bottom of the mold 15. The cavitiesare separated by the members 43 which have flat planed upper surfaceswhich engage the bottom of the mold.

Numeral 45 designates a channel in the block 40 having a nipple 46 towhich a source of vacuum is connected to produce the necessary suctionor vacuum in the vibrating and holding member 40.

Underneath the member 40 are attached journal bearings as shown at 49,supporting a transverse shaft 50 on which is mounted a pulley 52. Thepulley 52 is driven by a V-belt 53 from a motor 56 having a pulley 57.The motor 56 is mounted, as shown, to the under side of the frame 13.

Attached to the bearings 49 are a pair of horizontal plates 59engageable by another pair of pneumatic-tired wheels 62 on a transverseshaft 63. The transverse shaft 63 is mounted on the end of lever arms,as shown at 65, pivoted or fulcrumed at 66 on arms or brackets 67extending down from the frame 13, as shown.

The arms 65, or one of them, are attached to a stem 70 connected to ahydraulic piston 71 in a hydraulic cylinder 72 to which hydraulicpressure may be admitted under control through pipe 73.

Movements of the hydraulic piston 71 actuate the arms 65 to shift theshaft 63 vertically and, correspondingly, the pneumatic-tired wheels 62which engage the plates 59. In this manner the vacuum or suction-holdingmeans 40 is lifted toward and away from the bottom of the mold forattachment thereto by suction. When the member 40 is pushed up againstthe bottom of the mold and when the suction is applied, it holds themold and the mold is vibrated with the vibratory mechanism. The shaft 50is an eccentric shaft which, when it is rotated, causes vibratorymovement. Preferably, a pair of the blocks 40 is provided, as shown inFIG. 2, and they may be provided with side ribs or shoulders engageablewith ribs on the frame 13 to limit downward movement.

The foregoing describes the structure and operational characteristics ofthis form of the invention. This form of the invention has been reducedto practice in a particular size and it has been found that it producesslabs, as described, of superior quality, strength and appearance. Inoperation the mold, as shown, moves against the pneumatic-tired wheelsat the right end and vibrates against them. A particular feature of theinvention is that the pressure in these tires can be readily varied tocontrol the vibration, that is, the amplitude and intensity of thevibration. It has been found that very satisfactory slabs can beproduced with a pressure of 20 to 25 pounds per square inch in thesepneumatic tires, the wheels used having been commercially-availablepneumatic-tired wheelbarrow wheels. It has been found that the nature ofthe vibration with different pressures in the tires can be observedvisibly and can be sensed by feeling the vibration of the mold with thefingers. By thus observing the vibration and adjusting the pressure, ithas been found that very highly satisfactory results can be achieved.

FIGS. 5-9 of the drawings show another form of the invention wherein itis adapted in a vibratory finishing machine. This machine comprises aframe designated generally at 80. This frame comprises A framestructures 81 and 82 at the ends, having braces 85 and 86 extendingtherebetween. Additional braces are provided which extendlongitudinally, as indicated at 89 and 91, which are bolted to the Aframes. The machine may be held firm or rigid on a base by means ofadjustable holding mem bers, as designated at 93 and 94.

The vibratory unit of this form of the invention is mounted onpneumatic-tired wheels for linear vibratory movement, and the linearvibratory movements are restrained or controlled by the samepneumatic-tired wheels. The vibratory unit vibrates with respect to agenerally rectangular frame, which is designated by the numeral 97. Thisframe has flat upper surfaces, as shown at 98, and a rectangular opening166, as may be seen in FIG. 7. It also has a downwardly extending sideflange forming a skirt as designated at 101 in FIG. 6. This frame ismounted on trunnions so that the entire frame may be rotated between theposition shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The trunnions comprise axles, as shown,for example, at 103 in FIG. 5, suitably mounted in mounting members onopposite sides of the flange or skirt 101. The end of this axle, asshown at 104, is journaled in a bearing mounted at the apex of the Aframe 81. A similar trunnion mounting is provided at the other side ofthe frame 97 journaled in a bearing mounted at the apex of the A frame82.

The vibratory unit or assembly is designated generally by the numeral110. It comprises a plate 111 having a flat upper surface and downwardlyextending lateral parts as designated at 112 and 113. The plate 111supports the bowl or moat 116 in which the finishing operation iscarried out. Preferably, the moat is of the shape shown being curved orarcuate at the lower part. It has a rubber lining 117 within it, as maybe seen in FIG. 5, and as pointed out in the foregoing the parts to befinished are placed in it to be vibrated along with the abrasive mediaor compounds. The moat may be attached to the plate 111 by bolts, asshown as 120, or it may be attached in the manner as shown in FIG. 9 andas will be described.

The vibrating unit or assembly is floated on four rubbertired wheels asshown at 121, 122, 123 and 124. Wheels 121 and 122 are on an axle 129and wheels 123 and 124 are on an axle 130. These axles are supported atthe ends by pairs of depending support members or brackets as shown, forexample, at 132 and 133 in FIG. 5, depending from the under sides of theframe 97 which is made of a material of suitable gauge or thickness.

The vibrating unit is guided in its linear vibratory movements also byfour guide rollers, one of which may be seen at 135 in FIG. 5, thepositions of the others being designated as 136, 137 and 138 in FIG. 7.These rollers are on axles mounted from and positioned normally to innerparts of the frame 97 as may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7.

The eccentric shaft which produces the vibration of the vibratory unitis designated at 145 in FIG. 6. This shaft is journaled in twopillow-blocks 146 and 147 having base portions, one of which is shown at148 attached by bolts to the underside of the plate 111 of the vibratoryunit 110. Preferably, the rollers 135, 136, 137 and 138 are positionedso that they bear against the blocks, such as shown at 148 in FIG. 5.

The shaft 145 is generally cylindrical but it has one flat side andagainst this flat side are attached a group of series of metal strips asshown at 152, so that the weight is not centered, that is, the shaft iseccentric and will vibrate the assembly when it is rotated. On the shaft145 is a drive pulley 154 having grooves for belts 155 and 156 whichalso pass over a pulley 157 on the shaft 160 of a drive motor 161.

The motor 161 is adjustably mounted on a platform suspended by means ofa cradle underneath the frame 97. This cradle comprises the framemembers 165 and 166 having the shape shown in FIG. 6, and the ends ofthese members being attached to the depending flanges or skirts of theframe 97 by bolts as shown at 168. The motor 161 is attached to aplatform 176 by bolts, this platform having side members 171 and 172. Ashaft 173 extends through these side members and is journaled in theframe members 165 and 166 so that the motor platform is adjustablymounted. An upright, such as shown at 175, extends upwardly from each ofthe frame members 165 and 166, these uprights being grooved at theirupper ends to receive the shaft 130 and to provide additional support.

Numeral 177 designates a control box for the motor 161 connected to itby cable 178.

Numeral 180 designates a bracket on the A frame 81, and to the end ofits arm there is pivoted a latching lever 181 having a square shoulder182 engageable with a pin 183 on the side of frame 97. When the handle181 is latched over the pin 183 the frame 97 is held from being rotatedon its trunnions. When this lever is unlatched the frame may be rotatedfor unloading or dumping the moat as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 shows a preferred manner of mounting or attaching the moat. Onits bottom there is secured a wedge-shaped member 190 which cooperateswith two wedge members 191 and 192 having oppositely slanted faces. Thewedge 191 may be secured by a bolt 193 and the wedge 192 may be held bya suitable type of quick clamp 195 so that the wedge 192 can be quicklyclamped and released for quickly clamping and releasing the moat. Thishas the outstanding advantage that several moats can be used and as soonas the processing in one is completed it can be removed from thevibrating unit and another loaded one immediately attached thereto.Clamp 195 has an eccentric portion which engages plate 111 when it isturned to clamp member 190.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will readily understand andobserve the nature of the operation of the form of the invention shownin FIGS. 5-9. The suspension, as in the previous embodiment, uses nosprings. The vibratory unit floats on pneumatic-tired wheels which alsocontrol and restrain the movement by way of the depending members 112and 113. The mechanism is nicely balanced about the trunnion mountingsso that it can be very easily tilted to the position shown in FIG. 8.The eccentric member may easily be adjusted as respects the amount ofeccentric weight to modify the vibration. The motor platform may hangsuspended by gravity to keep the belts taut.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will observe that the formsof the invention described in detail herein achieve and accomplish allof the objects as stated in the foregoing, as well as having theadvantages enumerated.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of theinvention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than alimiting sense. The invention is to be accorded the full scope of theclaims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to bevibrated, the improvement comprising a plurality of inflatable resilientrotary members positioned to floatingly support the said means directlyon the inflatable parts of said members, means to linearly vibrate thesaid means on the said rotary members, the weight of said first meansbeing supported entirely by said rotary members, and said first meansbeing free from physical restraining connections to non-vibrating parts.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, including a movable suction member adaptedto be attached to a portion of the said first means and said vibratingmeans being carried by said suction member.

.3. The apparatus of claim 1, including rotary resilient meansrestraining the said first means in directions transverse to thevertical, said rotary resilient means being positioned to directlyengage the first means whereby the first means vibrates thereagainst,means including a Vac uum member adapted to be secured to the firstmeans and released therefrom by adjustment of the vacuum, and adjustablemeans for moving the said vacuum member toward and away from the firstmeans, the means to vibrate being carried by the vacuum member.

4. The apparatus as in claim 1, including inflatable resilient rotarymembers positioned to control linear vibratory movements of the firstmeans.

5. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said vibratory means comprises aunit having a member positioned to rest on the rotary inflatable membersand having parts positioned to engage the said rotary inflatable membersupon transverse linear movement of the said unit.

6. A combination as in claim 5, including a frame having said vibratoryunit mounted therein and means providing trunnion mountings for saidframe whereby the frame and unit may be tilted on said trunnionmountings.

7. A combination as in claim 6, including drive means for the means tovibrate supported by said frame.

8. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said means to vibrate compriseseccentric means including a shaft having a flat on one side thereof andhaving laminations attached to said fiat.

9. A combination as in claim 1 wherein the vibratory means includes ahopper for material to be processed and attachment means for removablysecuring the hopper to the vibratory means, said attachment meanscomprising a member engageable with the hopper and a quick acting clampfor holding the hopper and adapted for quick mounting and release.

10. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to bevibrated, means comprising a plurality of inflatable resilient rotarymembers, said first means having a fiat surface positioned to restfloatingly on the resilient rotary members whereby to be in a positionto floatingly vibrate linearly parallel to said surface with the weightof said first means carried by said rotary members, and means tolinearly Vibrate the said first means on said resilient rotary members.

11. A machine as in claim 10 including additional infiatable resilientrotary members positioned so that peripheries of said additional rotarymembers engage ends of said first means whereby to control linearvibratory movements of the first means.

12. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to bevibrated, means comprising a plurality of inflatable resilient rotarymembers, said first means having a fiat surface positioned to restfloatingly on said rotary members, means to linearly vibrate the saidfirst means on said rotary members parallel to said surface with theweight of said first means carried entirely by said rotary members, saidfirst means having depending restraining means positioned to engage sideparts of the peripheries of said resilient rotary members whereby tocontrol linear vibratory movement of the said first means, saiddepending restraining means being the sole restraint to vibratorymovement of the first means.

13. In a vibrating apparatus having means for supporting material to bevibrated, said means comprising a hopper, means comprising a pluralityof inflatable resilient rotary members, said first means including aplatform positioned to fioatingly rest on said rotary members, a framecarrying said rotary members with the said platform and hopperfloatingly resting thereon, support means including trunnion mountingsfor said frame whereby the frame and hopper may be tilted about the axisof the trunnions and means for imparting linear vibration to the saidplatform and hopper.

14. A machine as in claim 13 wherein said platform has downwardlydepending portions engageable with peripheral parts of the sides of saidrotary members whereby to limit the linear vibratory movement of thesaid platform and hopper.

15. A machine as in claim 13 wherein the vibrating means is carried bythe said platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,101,677 Hagemeyer Dec. 7, 1937 2,259,942 Stroud Oct. 21, 19412,298,074 Straub Oct. 6, 1942 2,671,260 Jessen et a1. Mar. 9, 19542,697,357 Wettlavfer Dec. 21, 1954 2,850,116 Spaetgens Sept. 2, 1958FOREIGN PATENTS 63,285 France Mar. 30, 1955 521,410 Great Britain May21, 1940 1,073,324 France Mar. 17, 1954

1. IN A VIBRATING APPARATUS HAVING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING MATERIAL TO BEVIBRATED, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INFLATABLE RESILIENTROTARY MEMBERS POSITIONED TO FLOATINGLY SUPPORT THE SAID MEANS DIRECTLYON THE INFLATABLE PARTS OF SAID MEMBERS, TO LINEARLY VIBRATE THE SAIDMEANS ON THE SAID ROTARY MEMBERS, THE WEIGHT OF SAID FIRST MEANS BEINGSUPPORTED ENTIRELY BY SAID ROTARY MEMBERS, AND SAID FIRST MEANS BEINGFREE FROM PHYSICAL RESTRAINING CONNECTIONS TO NON-VIBRATING PARTS.